 |
HOME
Born in Cyprus, Anna started her musical career at the early age of six, by attending the Cyprus
Conservatory. At 12, she won the first prize at a local song contest. Her mother was soon convinced of her daughter's talent
and moved the entire family to Greece, where she thought better opportunities existed for her musical career.
 She started a collaboration with Mikis Theodorakis ("18 Lianotragouda gia tin pikri patrida", "grammata
apo tin Germania"), Stauros Koujoumtzis until 1976 ("Sagapo", "Sta chronia tis ipomonis" ), Giorgos Hatzinasios ("To palikari"),
Doros Georgiadis ("To palio to aeroplano", "As kanoume apopse mian arhi") and then a close collaboration with Nicos Karvelas,
who was already a well known songwriter with many #1hits to his credit, that is lasting to this day. Besides writing most
of her songs, Karvelas penned Greece's first ever rock opera for Anna: "Demons" and the musical "Mala"
Anna's collaboration
with Nicos commenced in the early 80's and through the years they have collaborated on numerous projects together (approximately
14). The unification of their passion for music has generated voluminous hits. Together they have produced more than 20 #1hits
such as: Kryvame tin agapi mas, San ta pinasmena peristeria, Oute ena sagapo, Dodeka, Eleni, Trellainomai, Paralio, Den Thelo
Na Xereis, Min psahnis tin agapi, and many many more.
1996-1997
Following
the release of her album "Klima Tropiko" ("Tropical Climate"), Anna Vissi dominated the Greek market. The album was an instant
best-seller, achieving platinum status within a few months.
Anna toured Greece, performing more than 40 highly successful
shows. After this tour, a new club was built especially for Anna, where she presented a three-hour long show. The club was
sold out for several nights, making it the most successful one-woman performance ever held in Greece.
The Mayor of
Athens asked Anna to accompany him for the 1996/1997 New Year's Eve celebrations in Parliament Square, where she performed
in front of more than 20,000 Athenians.
In February 1997, Anna won three Greek Music Awards for Best Female Singer,
Best Interpretation and Biggest Airplay Song.
In the same year, Anna became the president of a children's charity on
Cyprus. With just one performance, Anna raised more than £150,000 pounds.
Her album, "Travma" ("Wound"), was released
in April 1997, reaching gold status in the first 12 days of its release. After that it went on to sell 150,000 units, attaining
triple-platinum status in just six months. Anna was also introduced to American audiences with the Ric Wake (Celine Dion)
produced single, "Forgive Me This". The album "Travma" was released in Australia.
1997-1998
Anna
presented her new album "Antidote" in the biggest record store in Pireus, where over 5,000 fans turned out to meet her, an
event that was repeated in Thessaloniki where Anna did not even manage to reach the store! In just seven days, Antitode sold
over 80,000 copies, setting a new Greek sales record. She was also presented with a triple platinum award for "Travma" by
Sony Music Europe.
In March 1998 Anna won seven top awards at the Pop Corn Music Award Ceremony: Best Female Singer,
Best Interpretation, Best Live Appearance, Best Album, Best Song, Best Album Cover, and Most Played Song on The Radio ("Travma"),
while her longstanding songwriter Nicos Karvelas won the Best Composition award for the song "Mavra Yalia".
1998-1999
In February 1999, Anna Vissi performed two sold-out shows in London
at the Forum Music Theatre and The Palladium Theatre. Anna also drew sold out shows at her first-ever mini tour of the USA,
including Los Angeles, Atlantic City, Chicago, Boston and New York City, where she performed at The Theatre at Madison Square
Garden.
The Los Angeles Times raved, "...a performance so charismatic, so filled with sheer magnetic talent...expect
big things from this potential new international star." The New York Times said, "With raised arms and delicately stepping
feet, she was no unapproachable, packaged pop diva, but an irrepressible entertainer."
1999-2000
 Anna Vissi performed at the Royal Albert Hall on Sunday, March 5th, gathering the entire Greek community,
many Greek VIPs/celebrities that travelled from Greece, and a significant number of Britain's who went to meet the extraordinary
Greek singer up close.
Anna Vissi's entrance on stage was sensational. She presented an awesome two and a half-hour
show, where she sung and danced continuously! The theatre's boxes and main floor were "packed" with an audience, which sung
with her on every song. On Sunday night the prestigious theatre pictured unforgettable moments, being flooded with Greek music
and not only...
Anna Vissi had the best reward for everyone that was there to see her perform. With the cue "Rock n'
Roll the Whole Royal Albert Hall!" she presented live for the first time four of her new songs from her upcoming international
English album.
All of the creators of Anna's new album were at her blow out Millennium show: Paul Russel (Chairman
of Sony Music Europe), Peter Asher (the internationally known producer), Brian Rawling (creator of most of the tracks on Anna's
album) and also Europe's Artist and Strategic marketing managers.
Anna Vissi was preparing her first international
project for over a year. She recorded her first full-length English-language debut album, which was eventually released throughout
Europe during the summer. The first single from the album "Everything I Am" was composed by Nicos Karvelas, with lyrics by
Paul Barry. The rest of the tracklisting includes songs by some of the top international songwriters such as Russ Ballard,
Mark Taylor, Graham Stack, Steve Torch, Paul Stanley, Tina Shafer, Julian Harris, Danielle Gerber and, of course, Nicos Karvelas.
The album was produced by Brian Rawling (Cher's "Believe"; Enrique Iglesias); Ric Wake (Celine Dion) and Peter Asher (Linda
Ronstadt, Diana Ross and Cher).
Millions of TV viewers all over the world watched Anna Vissi make her international
debut when she performed at The Miss Universe Pageant in her native Cyprus. Accompanied by her troupe of eight dancers, she
sang "On A Night Like This" from the new album. The stunning video for the Anna's first international single "Everything I
Am", was shot in Finland and directed by Antti Jokinen at Solar Films.
Not wanting to keep her fans waiting any longer
Anna released a Greek cd maxi single titled "Agapi Ipervoliki" (Love ecxessive) for the summer. The title track, which is
a super trance dance track, became the #1 hit of the summer leading the cd to a 4 platinum status. She performed these 6 new
smashing hits during her 60 sold out live appearances at a Greek summer music hall. Included in her performances were tracks
from her international release which were choreographed by Shaun Fernandes (Boyzone).
Winter 2000 and Anna wants to
make sure everyone is aware that she has explosively returned! She releases a double Greek album titled "Kravgi" (Scream),
offering her fans what they were missing during her 2-year absence. Major hits emerged from "Kravgi", such as the self titled
track, "Horis To Moro Mou" (Without My Baby), "Moni Mou" (By Myself), "Agapoula Mou" (My Love), etc. Of course, this 6 times
platinum album for one more time has Nicos karvelas' signature.
2001
Athens
celebrated the new year with Anna Vissi, who was invited by the mayor of Athens, Dimitri Avramopoulos to countdown with him
the entrance of 2001, and to launch the New Year's party at the Athens Syndagma square.
April: Anna Vissi was awarded
with 5 popcorn music awards: Best Female Singer, Best Single "Agapi Ipervoliki", best vocal performance "Afti Ti Fora", Best
Video Clip "Agapi Ipervoliki", Best Female Stage Performance.
During the month of April Anna becomes the ambassadress
of good will for the Mac Aids Fund in Greece. The cosmetic's company Mac opens its first retail store in Greece, and officially
invites Anna to promote the lipstick Mac Viva Clam III. The sales of this product will be dedicated to the philanthropic cause
of children with aids.
March: Anna Vissi released her 2nd single "Still In Love With You" from her international album
with remixes by Soda Club.
 The No.1 Greek female artist performed her biggest hits at the Balkanic cultural event "2001- A Peace
Odyssey", which took place in Bucharest's central plaza Uniri on Wednesday, June 6th. Romania's telecommunication companies
Rometelecom and Cosmorom, supported also by the Greek telecom service OTE, organized the event. It was an impressive site
that "married" music with the most modern expression of art. International artist Emir Kusturica, in collaboration with producer
and director Aggelos Hatziandreou, undertook the artistic direction of the event. The program included a Multimedia Show,
a performance from a local band, a concert by Emir Kusturica's band "No Smoking Band", and the grand finale belonged to Greek
Diva Anna Vissi. Her performance opened with a waterscreen and wowed all 150,000 viewers that were present. Emir Koustouritsa's
band accompanied Anna throughout her appearance offering the audience a one of a kind musical experience.
On September
5th, Anna gave a concert in Cyprus at the G.S.P Stadium. Even though she honors her home country every year this year's performance
out did all others. It was a radiant night full of emotion and an intense vibe. 18,000 fans packed the stadium to watch the
diva's 3 hour performance. The presentation and the awarding of her 7 times platinum album "Kravgi" came to seal this perfect
night.
"Mala" I Mousiki Tou Anemou (The Music Of The Wind) A true love story
The artist that continuously strives
to enrich herself and her music opens the curtains to a special musical called "Mala". A play that is dressed with 23 unique
songs, a stellar cast of 60 persons and a live orchestra with 35 musicians went up on the 15th of January, 2002 at the Palace
Theatre.
 Taking chances is what Anna Vissi is all about. "Mala" was the challenge she set to conquer in her search
of new expressional dimensions. Not only did Anna Vissi pass her acting ambitions with flying colors, but she left in awe
everyone who observed her inexhaustible talent on stage.
It is a true love story that takes place during the second
world war.
The starring roles are of course, embodied by Anna Vissi, and Leonidas Kakouris, who is the man that captures
her heart.
Credits: Nicos Karvelas (Music-Script-Libreto), Yannis Kakleas (Direction), Yiorgos Gavalas (scenography),
Yannis Metzikof (Costumes), Yiorgos Niarhos (Musical direction)
The soundtrack to the musical has now been released
containing all 27 symphonic tracks.
2003
Anna
Vissi´s first album with many composers such as Kostantinos Christoforou, Nikos Karvelas, Sofi Papa, Alex Papakostantinou,
Vangelis Vasiliou, Energy,..., "Paraksenes Ikones" is a fact and became 2 times platinum in 6 months only! The single "Treno"
(train) was named the most popular song of the year 2003/2004
2004
Anna
was the main attraction at the celebrations for Cyprus' entry in the E.U., performing in front of 80 000 people! She then
went on a successful tour in England and the USA, which was completed with a huge concert in Cyprus on 3/9. She also performed
at the Closing Ceremony of the Athens 2004 Olympiad, a great honor .
2005
Anna has now
moved to the USA, where she is preparing and promoting her new single, "Call me", which is the English version of "Ise". "Call
me" has been gaining airplay for the past month, and is now being included in the playlists of major US radio stations and
at the Billboard Charts. A release date has not been set yet, but you can buy the track and all its remixes online through
our website. In the meanwhile, Anna is a partner in a new pizza place in Athens, part of "Ciro's Pizza Pomodoro" chain of
restaurants.
|
